Forgive me, Chief. But I am not sure what you mean by mini-pumpkin, stuffed Jack-o-Lantern and then having different courses.

Can it just be about pumpkin, whether canned or cooking pumpkin (I saw them in my store for the very first time this week and want to try it!).

I think it is very possible to do all the courses with pumpkin, but these contests have been very hard on the cooks (me doing several of them) which was part of the reason they faded out. Could we just say it is a pumpkin contest and come up with our one very creative dish - whatever course?

Forgive me, Chief. But I am not sure what you mean by mini-pumpkin, stuffed Jack-o-Lantern and then having different courses.

Can it just be about pumpkin, whether canned or cooking pumpkin (I saw them in my store for the very first time this week and want to try it!).

I think it is very possible to do all the courses with pumpkin, but these contests have been very hard on the cooks (me doing several of them) which was part of the reason they faded out. Could we just say it is a pumpkin contest and come up with our one very creative dish - whatever course?

Just a thought.

That works for me. I still like the idea of creating an edible jack-o-lantern. But then again, that might just be my entry, with others entering whatever pumpkin recipe they like. It's all good.

And I agree with you. I enjoyed the challenge of making multiple courses from a theme ingredient. I mean, how many of us would have every thought of using mushrooms in a desert befor the mushroom challenge? And yet, we were introduced to the candy-cap mushroom, and wonderful candy-cap ice cream, and candy-cap sweet rolls.

But mulitple courses can be both time consuming, and expensive.

Seeeeeeya; Chief Lognwind of teh North

__________________“No amount of success outside the home can compensate for failure within the home…"

I don't know if I could do multiple courses. There's only the two of us. We never have appetizers, and neither of us are dessert eaters.

Therefore, my vote would be for "Make a pumpkin based food challenge, any recipe you want".

Steve;

This could be a chance to serve up a special meal for you, and your special partner; a light pumpkin soup for the appetizer, with stuffed pumpkin for the main course, Pumpkin juice makes for a great hot drink, when flavored with the right spices, and sweetened lightly, and maybe pumpkin cookies for desert, with just one served, and the rest saved for later, or a pumpkin granita.

These are the kinds of things you can make for just the two of you, and not break the bank.

However, if you like the idea of one course, any recipe, that's just fine as well. I'm just offering ideas here.

All suggestions are valid.

Seeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North

__________________

__________________“No amount of success outside the home can compensate for failure within the home…"